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Connel Brodyr
 

FAQ - Common questions

Why do you need to provide identification when you apply?

Almost all microstock websites requires you you provide a copy of your passport or identity card.

1. Since most pictures are used commercially, it is important that you follow the rules, especially about model release and property release. So if there are any legal issues, they need to be able to track you down.

2. Refferal points, introduction bonus, free pictures etc. If you could open multiple accounts you could benefit from their programs multiple times.

Why do they [microstock websites] limit the number of uploads and why are some sites so slow accepting my pictures?

Some do it to force you to only submit your best work. Istockphoto for example allows you only to upload 15 images per week. Same thing with the delay, by delaying your images you will not just upload anything; it gives you time to think.

Which sites will i make most money from?

It depends on your style but here are five im using in order of profitability:

I'm still a beginner and i find Fotolia very difficult to uppload to. Which sites are easier and harder?

I would say Fotolia is the hardest to get pictures accepted to. The hardest to easiest are in my opinion:

I'm in this as a hobby so I want to learn as much as possible. Which sites will i learn best from?

Technical: istockphoto is good and hard. They are the most consistant. They require sharp, artifact free pictures with no chromatic aberration but on the other hand, the pictures only need to be 2MP

Feedback: shutterstock gives you clear and short descriptions of the problem. If they just could be more consistant. If you feel your picture is great, don't hesitate to upload it again but don't forget to tell the inspector that it is a resubmit. None of the microstoch agencies likes multiple uploads, multiple uploads is one of things that can give you a warning.

Fotolia are fast but they give you very vague messages about what is wrong and they don't give you a thumbnail of the image so it can be very difficult to know which picture they are talking about.

I find the uploading process very boring, hard and it takes alot of time. Can you list the same sites in order of uploading time?

Here it is including categorizing and keywording with keywording tool.



Note again the use of the photo keywording tool. Without it you have to do lots of research and it requires quite good English knowledge. With it you pick a few similar images and you will get a list of 50 keyword suggestions that you can modify to your liking.

How much will i make?

How much time you can spend? Are you willing to learn and adapt your photography to what the market wants? Anyway, a good indication is to look for a few photographers at istockphoto.com that takes similar pictures as you do and that are fulltimers/hobby/freelancers (or whatever you are). Check the number of downloads and multiply the number with $1.4 (my avererage price per picture). If they are exclusive, double the money. If they are active on several sites; double the money again.

Most people can learn to make a few hundred dollars per month. Not bad for a hobby, right?